Immigrant Groups Mobilize in Minnesota Twin Cities Amid Federal Crackdown Threats

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Key Takeaways

Twin Cities intensify efforts to protect immigrant communities, implementing sanctuary policies and resisting federal immigration crackdowns under stricter enforcement threats.
Advocacy groups and city officials unite to support immigrants, offering legal aid, education, and enforcing non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Sanctuary cities’ policies challenge federal control, emphasizing inclusion, safety, and stability for immigrants amid escalating tensions with federal mandates.

Minnesota immigrant groups and local leaders are ramping up efforts in the Twin Cities—Minneapolis and St. Paul—in response to potential federal immigration crackdowns under a renewed Trump administration. With promises of increased enforcement and deportations, these communities are seeking ways to protect their immigrant populations, maintain stability, and resist federal immigration policies. Organizations, city officials, and advocacy groups across the Twin Cities have outlined strategies to uphold their commitment to being welcoming communities, even as the federal government steps up its enforcement priorities.

Local Governments Take a Stand

Immigrant Groups Mobilize in Minnesota Twin Cities Amid Federal Crackdown Threats

St. Paul 🌟 has implemented policies aimed at shielding immigrant communities for nearly two decades. Since 2004, an ordinance has limited city employees’ cooperation with federal immigration authorities. In recent weeks, this policy has gained renewed attention as fears of harsher federal action grow. During a public forum at Neighborhood House, Deputy Mayor Jamie Tincher highlighted St. Paul’s longstanding position of refusing to participate in federal immigration crackdowns. The city is now taking additional steps, such as training frontline employees on how to handle encounters with federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Tincher emphasized that senior city leaders and lawyers would intervene immediately if federal agents appear on the scene.

City Council President Mitra Jalali reinforced the importance of such measures, declaring that the safety of residents remains the top priority. “We will make sure that people are safe in every way we can,” she affirmed. Jalali argued that cooperation with federal enforcement makes the community less safe by discouraging residents from accessing essential city services.

The St. Paul School Board is also taking action to protect immigrant students and their families. School Board Member Carlo Franco described measures to screen visitors carefully, ensuring that individuals claiming to represent ICE or other law enforcement agencies are not allowed entry without proper authorization. These precautions demonstrate a unified front among St. Paul’s leadership, which aims to protect immigrant families from potential federal interference.

In nearby Minneapolis 🌟, local officials are mirroring St. Paul’s approach. The city has established an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, specifically designed to support immigrant communities by promoting health, stability, public safety, and economic development. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has reiterated the city’s stance that federal immigration matters are not the responsibility of local police. “It’s not our job,” O’Hara stated, adding that enforcing immigration laws could erode trust in law enforcement and hinder efforts to address crime.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed O’Hara’s sentiments, emphasizing the city’s commitment to providing a safe and stable environment for immigrant families. “Unlike Trump, I have no plans of tearing innocent families apart or disrupting communities that have called Minneapolis home for generations,” Frey said. Minneapolis, he assured, “is, and always will be, a welcoming city.”

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have “separation ordinances” in place, policies that prevent city employees—especially police officers—from questioning a person’s immigration status unless required by law. These ordinances also limit what information can be shared with federal immigration authorities without a court order. Such policies are key to the Twin Cities’ firm stance as sanctuary cities, defying federal efforts to enlist local governments in immigration enforcement.

Advocacy Groups and Community Action

Beyond city policies, a wide range of advocacy groups are making their voices heard in this critical moment. Unidos MN is one such organization leading the charge. Its mission focuses on advancing social, economic, and racial justice for Minnesota’s working families, with immigration central to its goals. Unidos MN has been active in building networks of support for immigrant families, organizing educational programs, and mobilizing communities to fight for equitable policies.

Another major player, the Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration (ICOM), advocates for policy change on local, state, and federal levels. The coalition also provides much-needed support to immigrant families, from organizing vigils to offering spiritual and multicultural assistance. These efforts not only fight injustices in ICE practices but also work to build solidarity among Minnesota’s diverse population.

Advocates have highlighted a recent study, “The Journey to Belonging in the Twin Cities,” to demonstrate how crucial immigrants are to the local economy and culture. In Minneapolis, immigrants form 15.8% of the employed workforce and own 13.2% of local businesses. St. Paul’s numbers are even higher: immigrants make up 22.2% of the city’s workers and an impressive 33.2% of business owners. These figures underline that immigrant communities are not only integral to the Twin Cities’ economies but also vital contributors to their cultural fabric.

The report envisions creating an infrastructure that strengthens community health, safety, and prosperity, ensuring the Twin Cities remain vibrant and inclusive destinations for all residents. The advocacy groups emphasize this shared vision even as fears of federal enforcement grow.

A Federal-State Clash on Sanctuary City Policies

The Twin Cities’ sanctuary city policies have placed them firmly in the crosshairs of the federal government. The Justice Department has instructed federal prosecutors to consider charges against local officials who refuse to assist in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. However, legal experts argue that prosecution against city leaders may be unlikely. Ana Pottratz Acosta, a professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, explained that such charges would face hurdles. She noted, “If you look at the statute, it’s hard to make this argument. They’re not necessarily engaged in affirmative or like active activity to impede any investigation.”

Nonetheless, the tension between the Twin Cities and the federal government continues to escalate. The threat of increased ICE activity looms large; in 2024, the St. Paul ICE office arrested 1,255 immigrants with criminal convictions. Although this figure represents a decline compared to arrests during Trump’s first term, advocates remain deeply concerned that it could rise significantly under new federal directives.

President Trump has vowed to carry out “the largest deportation of criminals in American history,” statements that have created widespread anxiety within immigrant communities. Deportations in Minnesota fell sharply during President Joe Biden’s term, with only 5,013 removals compared to 11,775 during Trump’s first administration. Detentions in the state dropped as well, falling by half since 2019. These statistics underscore the dramatic shifts in enforcement activity depending on the administration in power.

Preparing for What’s Next

Minnesota is home to approximately 81,000 undocumented residents, many of whom are facing heightened uncertainty about their futures. Another 42,000 individuals are temporarily protected from deportation while immigration proceedings are pending in Minnesota’s Fort Snelling court. Immigrant groups and their allies aren’t waiting idly to see how federal enforcement policies unfold. Instead, they are hosting “know your rights” seminars and connecting noncitizens with legal representation. Rapid-response teams have been formed to provide immediate action in the event of increased ICE activities, creating a robust network of support to counter anticipated challenges.

Organizations like Arrive Ministries are also stepping in to assist, providing key services to refugees and immigrants. They labeled the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program as “a tragic injustice” for those fleeing dangerous situations in search of a better life.

The Broader Picture

The Twin Cities’ reaction to federal immigration enforcement illustrates a complex struggle between local values and federal control. On one hand, Minneapolis and St. Paul have taken decisive action to protect immigrant residents, bolstering public trust and maintaining stability. On the other, their resistance to federal immigration laws places them at odds with an administration eager to enforce stricter policies.

As the tension between sanctuary cities and the federal government rises, immigrant communities and advocacy groups in Minnesota remain resolute. They are not only addressing immediate needs but also striving to uphold the Twin Cities’ reputation as a region that welcomes diversity and values cultural contributions.

For official information on sanctuary cities and immigration enforcement, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website. Insights from VisaVerge.com highlighted how cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul are creating inclusive strategies that prioritize local trust over federal mandates. This active resistance underscores the resolve to shield immigrant communities from heightened disruption and uncertainty.

Minnesota braces for federal immigration crackdown
Immigrant groups and local officials in the Twin Cities are ramping up efforts to safeguard immigrant communities as federal threats of heightened immigration enforcement loom with Donald Trump’s second term. Cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul are reaffirming their separation ordinances and fortifying community protections.

Why it matters:
Minnesota is home to over 120,000 undocumented residents and immigrants with pending legal cases. Federal crackdowns could disrupt families, local economies, and trust in public institutions.

The big picture:
• St. Paul and Minneapolis operate under “separation ordinances” that limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
• Both cities are training staff and implementing policies to protect immigrants, with officials emphasizing community safety over enforcement.
• Advocates and nonprofits are mobilizing to support immigrant communities through legal aid, rapid-response teams, and community awareness programs.

What they’re saying:
– St. Paul City Council President Mitra Jalali: “We will make sure that people are safe in every way we can.”
– Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara: “Immigration status is a matter for the federal government to deal with; that’s not our job.”
– Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: “Minneapolis is, and always will be, a welcoming city.”

By the numbers:
– Immigrants represent 22.2% of the workforce and 33.2% of business owners in St. Paul, playing a vital economic role.
– In 2024, ICE arrested 1,255 immigrants with criminal convictions in Minnesota, down from over 2,700 during Trump’s first term.
– Under Biden, Minnesota saw deportations drop to 5,013, compared to 11,775 during Trump’s first term.

State of play:
• St. Paul schools are training staff to block unauthorized ICE entries and protect immigrant families.
• Advocates are holding “know your rights” sessions and preparing rapid-response teams for potential raids.
• Organizations like Unidos MN and the Minnesota Interfaith Coalition are pushing for policy reforms while offering direct support.

Between the lines:
Legal experts say prosecuting local officials for resisting federal immigration enforcement would be legally challenging. Resistance efforts largely focus on limiting cooperation rather than directly obstructing federal operations.

Yes, but:
Trump’s promised “largest deportation of criminals in American history” faces obstacles like resource constraints and potential civil rights violations, which could hinder its execution.

The bottom line:
Minnesota’s immigrant groups and local leaders are taking proactive steps to shield communities from federal crackdowns. However, tensions with Washington highlight the ongoing battle between sanctuary policies and enforcement-focused immigration agendas. The future for immigrant communities in the Twin Cities remains uncertain.

Learn Today

Sanctuary city: A city that adopts policies to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, protecting undocumented residents from deportation efforts.
Separation ordinances: Local policies preventing city employees, like police, from inquiring about immigration status or sharing information with federal authorities without legal necessity.
Deferred action: Temporary relief from deportation granted to noncitizens, allowing them to remain in the country under certain conditions.
Rapid-response teams: Groups organized to provide immediate assistance and resources during immigration enforcement actions, such as ICE detentions or raids.
Know your rights seminars: Educational sessions informing individuals, especially immigrants, of their legal rights during encounters with law enforcement or immigration officials.

This Article in a Nutshell

Minnesota’s Twin Cities stand firm against federal immigration crackdowns, embracing sanctuary policies to protect immigrants. Leaders train workers, limit compliance with ICE, and foster trust. Advocacy groups mobilize “know your rights” seminars and legal aid. Minneapolis and St. Paul redefine resilience, proving that inclusive values strengthen communities amidst federal tension. Diversity thrives.
— By VisaVerge.com